Female ancestor spirit mask

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Description

wood, reddish brown patina, black paint, clear cut and symmetrical arranged facial features, tribe-typical: eye-zone arranged in two oval deepenings with narrow-slit coffee bean eyes, delicate nose, oval mouth with pointed chin, old collection label “Morigi Lugano No 205” on the backside, slightly dam., fine cracks, abrasion of paint, metal base;
the used scarification marks are charateristic for the Chokwe. The mark below the right eye represents tears. The scarification mark below the left eye is called “chingeleyele”. It derived from the Maltese cross brought by the Portuguese.

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Comparing literature

Jordán, Manuel (ed.), Chokwe!, München, London, New York 1998, ill. 58 ff.

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